State awards electric vehicle charging stations to 25 cities and states across the Commonwealth

State awards electric vehicle charging stations to 25 cities and states across the Commonwealth

State awards electric vehicle charging stations to 25 cities and states across the Commonwealth

07/22/11 · 11:44 am :: posted by editor ShareThis

Barnstable, Falmouth and Nantucket to receive clean energy grants

105 charging stations to be installed across the state

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. announces the awarding of 105 electric vehicle charging stations to 25 communities across the Commonwealth. These stations will aid in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and provide Massachusetts residents with state-of-the-art clean energy alternatives. Photo courtesy of the EEA.

Friday in Lexington, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. announced that the state will be constructing 105 electric vehicle charging stations in 25 cities and towns from the Berkshires to Cape Cod. Three towns on the Cape and Islands--Barnstable, Falmouth and Nantucket--will receive the charging stations. Massachusetts cities and towns were invited the EEA's Department of Energy Resources to apply for the grants.

"Placing these state-of-the-art charging stations in cities and towns across Massachusetts supports the Administration’s clean energy agenda – augmenting our nation-leading efforts in the areas of green jobs, Green Communities, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.
The charging stations will be located on downtown streets, parking garages, shopping malls, schools and colleges and commercial and industrial parks, according to a release from the EEA. Additional stations will also be installed at Logan Airport, in Logan Express lots and at MBTA commuter lots.
According to the EEA, the project is funded with approximately $280,000 made available through a settlement obtained by Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office in 2007 for alleged pollution control equipment violations by an Ohio-based power plant. That funding was subsequently augmented through a public-private partnership with Coulomb Technologies of California, which received a U.S. Department of Energy American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant to provide installation of electric charging equipment and re-granted awards in the form of charging stations to Massachusetts cities and towns through the company’s ChargePoint America program.

"With transportation responsible for 26 percent of greenhouse gas emissions produced in Massachusetts, it is prudent for the Commonwealth to take a multi-faceted approach to improving the way we drive and the vehicles that we buy – including investments to expand the use of electric vehicles," said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia.